However, I think it would be better to just give you the power points to do that yourself (I have essentially no use for power points myself), IF you feel like it is a good idea. If you think that video had its shot and would rather not use them to promote it again, that is fine too -- in that case consider them a gift for you to use at your discretion since I thoroughly enjoyed the video.

Congratulations! Your comment on In China A Bridge Retrofit Takes 43 hrs Instead Of 2 Months has just received enough votes from the community to earn you 1 Power Point. Thank you for your quality contribution to VideoSift.

You say that downvoting based on who posted the video is against the rules. Well that is basically what you did. You downvoted my video because I had asked the other videosift user why he downvoted my video. This is showing that you downvoted my video due to who and what I did/said, which according to you is highly against the rules

Downvoting once a video is published - made it past 10 votes - doesn't really have the effect that you seem to be implying. It still makes it to the frontpage which is probably the only place where 90% of Videosift visitors ever go. Downvoting potentially keeps a video lower on - or off of - the top 15 list, which is fine by me because I feel the other videos there are more worthwhile.

But what bothered me, really, is that someone is being asked to account for their downvote. This has also happened to me at least twice (three times if you include this instance) and I find it a little strange. Rarely is someone asked to explicitly state why they liked a video or to give reasons that they watched a video but failed to vote for it.

Downvoting is an option for privileged members. The rules clearly state that we should not downvote based on who posted the video, but on the content alone. I have, on this day (yesterday), chosen to express my "meh" feelings towards a video with a downvote and may continue to do so in the future. I don't think that is rude or pretentious or denying other people any access or participation in this community. It's just me not sitting on the fence anymore.